This is pretty long and I haven't even read all of it, but from what I have read, there is another proposed new somatic symptoms disorder category for the upcoming DSM and it's even worse than the complex one already most likely to get approval....the diagnostic criteria for the new one (Simple Somatic Disorders) pretty much ensures that anyone with any illness lasting longer than one month is likely to get an additional psych diagnosis - it is beyond ridiculous.

These are the criteria (they are in the article, but in case you can't read the whole thing, I am putting them here, too):

A. One or more highly distressign [sic] and disabling somatic symptoms

B. One of the following symptoms from CSSD (i.e. Disproportionate and
persistent concerns about the medical seriousness of one's symptoms; high
level of health-related anxiety; or excessive time and energy devoted to
these symptoms or health concerns)

C. Symptom duration is greater than 1 month

my thoughts:

-only one symptom necessary for DX is crazy - every other psych diagnosis requires more than one symptoms, and that should be even more necessary if the symptom comes from a medical (physical) diagnosis

-"high level of anxiety" is highly subjective and who with a chronic disabling illness is not going to be anxious about it

-"excessive time and energy devoted..." is even worse - if someone who is chronically ill and disabled by it chooses to ignore that illness, does not want to learn anything about it or how to try to manage it as well as possible, etc, then he/she is in a lot worse shape (physically and psychologically) than someone who actually tries to be informed and spends time on health related concerns,

not to mention that by definition if something is disabling, it disrupts ones life dramatically and is impossible to ignore or to fail to devote time to just in order to accomplish the most basic activities of daily life

-"disproportionate and persistent concerns about the medical seriousness..." again subjective and also sounds suspiciously like the way many Wessely, et all statements re ME/CFS are worded

-one month - seriously??!!??!! if someone receives a new disabling DX, it should take at least a month to begin to process all that the DX entails - people do not adjust to major life changes that fast unless they are in denial (& thus have not truly adjusted at all)....and any chronic illness will last longer than one month

May be reposted if posted in full and source credited

From Suzy Chapman

16 January 2011

A formatted version of this information will be published on my DSM-5 and
ICD-11 Watch site ( dxrevisionwatch.wordpress.com ) in the next day or so.

The page for existing DSM-5 proposals for the "Somatoform Disorders"
section of DSM-IV was updated on January 14, 2011 with a new category
proposal called "Simple Somatic Symptom Disorder".

Note this proposal is in addition to the existing proposal for the category
proposed by the Somatic Symptom Disorders Work Group called "Complex
Somatic symptom disorder (CSSD)" and does not replace "CSSD".

As I have been highlighting for some time now, under these proposals, all
medical conditions, whether "established" general medical conditions and
disorders or conditions presenting with "somatic symptoms of unclear
etiology", have the potential for qualifying for an additional diagnosis of
a somatic symptom disorder.

There have also been revisions and additions to some of the text of the
"Disorder descriptions" document dated "DRAFT January 29, 2010" that was
first published by the DSM-5 Task Force on February 10, 2010 when draft
proposals were posted on the APA's DSM-5 website.

Note the key document: "Justification of Criteria-Somatic Symptoms DRAFT
1/29/10" which is associated with the proposals of the Somatic Symptom
Disorders Work Group does not appear to have been update since February
2010 and is still available on the APA's DSM-5 Development site here:

Please find below a list of disorders related to the diagnostic category,
Somatoform Disorders. The Somatic Symptom Disorders Work Group has been
responsible for addressing these disorders. Among the work group's
recommendations is the proposal to rename this category Somatic Symptom
Disorders. Because the current terminology for somatoform disorders is
confusing and because somatoform disorders, psychological factors affecting
medical condition, and factitious disorders all involve presentation of
physical symptoms and/or concern about medical illness, the work group
suggests renaming this group of disorders Somatic Symptom Disorders. In
addition, because of the implicit mind-body dualism and the unreliability
of assessments of "medically unexplained symptoms," these symptoms are no
longer emphasized as core features of many of these disorders. Since
somatization disorder, hypochondriasis, undifferentiated somatoform
disorder, and pain disorder share certain common features, namely somatic
symptoms and cognitive distortions, the work group is proposing that these
disorders be grouped under a common rubric called complex somatic symptom
disorder. We appreciate your review and comment on these disorders.

A. One or more highly distressign [sic] and disabling somatic symptoms

B. One of the following symptoms from CSSD (i.e. Disproportionate and
persistent concerns about the medical seriousness of one's symptoms; high
level of health-related anxiety; or excessive time and energy devoted to
these symptoms or health concerns)

[Ed: This document is a revised text of the document published by the DSM-5
Task Force in February 2010. That document is no longer available on the
DSM-5 site pages but for comparison, a PDF copy is archived on my own site
here or contact me for a copy of the original text:

2010 American Psychiatric Association. All Rights Reserved. See Terms &
Conditions of Use for more information

DRAFT January 14, 2011

Somatic Symptom Disorders

Introduction

This group of disorders is characterized predominantly by somatic symptoms
or concerns that are associated with significant distress and/or
dysfunction. Somatic symptoms are common in every day life and medical
practice. Such symptoms may be initiated, exacerbated or maintained by
combinations of biological, psychological and social factors. The
diagnostic criteria are applicable across the lifespan, even though
developmental differences in the presentation and phenomenology of somatic
symptom disorders may exist.

These disorders typically present first in non-psychiatric settings and
somatic symptom disorders can accompany diverse general medical as well as
psychiatric diagnoses. Having somatic symptoms of unclear etiology is not
in itself sufficient to make this diagnosis. Some patients, for instance
with irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia would not necessarily qualify
for a somatic symptom disorder diagnosis.

[Ed: Note that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is not specified in this revised
text and CFS had not been specified in the original text of the February,
2010 document.]

Conversely, having somatic symptoms of an established disorder (e.g.
diabetes) does not exclude these diagnoses if the criteria are otherwise
met.

[Ed: The para above is new text. ***Note: as I have been highlighting for
some time now, under these proposals, all medical conditions - whether
"established" general medical conditions and disorders or conditions
presenting with "somatic symptoms of unclear etiology" - have the potential
for qualifying for an additional diagnosis of a somatic symptom
disorder.***]

There are other psychiatric disorders, which may present with prominent
somatic symptoms such as depression or panic; therefore, not all
presentations with somatic symptoms would qualify for these diagnoses.

The presentation of these symptoms may vary across the lifespan. A
corroborative historian with a life course perspective may provide
important information for both the elderly and for children.

[Ed: The 2 paras above are new text.]

I. Psychological factors affecting medical condition (#316).

The essential feature of this disorder is the presence of one or more
clinically significant psychological or behavioral factor that adversely
affects a somatic symptom or medical condition by increasing risk for
suffering, death, or disability. These factors can adversely affect the
medical illness by influencing its course or treatment, by constituting an
additional health risk factor, or by exacerbating the physiology that is
related to the medical illness.

Psychological or behavioral factors include psychological distress,
patterns of interpersonal interaction, coping styles and maladaptive health
behaviors such as denial of symptoms or poor adherence to medical
recommendations. Common clinical examples are: anxiety exacerbating asthma,
denial of need for treatment for acute chest pain, manipulating insulin in
order to lose weight.

This diagnosis should be reserved for situations where the effect of the
psychological factor on the medical condition is evident, and the
psychological factor has clinically significant effects on the course or
outcome of the medical condition. Abnormal psychological or behavioral
symptoms that develop in response to a medical condition are more properly
coded as an adjustment disorder (a clinically significant psychological
response to an identifiable stressor).

PFAMC can occur across the lifespan. Particularly with young children,
corroborative history from parents or school can assist the diagnostic
evaluation.

[Ed: The para above is new text.]

To meet criteria for Psychological Factors Affecting Medical Condition,
both criteria A and B are necessary.

A. A general medical condition is present.

B. Psychological or behavioral factors adversely affect the general medical
condition in at least one of the following ways:

1. the factors have influenced the course of the general medical condition
as shown by a close temporal association between the psychological factors
and the development or exacerbation of, or delayed recovery from, the
general medical condition

2. the factors (e.g. poor adherence) interfere with the treatment of the
general medical condition

3. the factors constitute additional health risks for the individual

4. the factors influence physiology to precipitate or exacerbate symptoms
of the general medical condition

II. Complex Somatic symptom disorder (CSSD) (#XXX)

This disorder is characterized by a combination of distressing (often
multiple) symptoms and an excessive or maladaptive response to these
symptoms or associated health concerns. The patient's suffering is
authentic, whether or not it is medically explained. Patients typically
experience distress and a high level of functional impairment. The symptoms
may or may not accompany diagnosed general medical disorders or psychiatric
disorders. There may be a high level of medical care utilization, which
rarely alleviates the patient's concerns. From the clinician's point of
view, many of these patients seem unresponsive to therapies, and new
interventions or therapies may only exacerbate the presenting symptoms or
lead to new side effects and complications. Some patients feel that their
medical assessment and treatment have been inadequate.

[Ed: Previously read: The hallmark of this disorder is disproportionate or
maladaptive response to somatic symptoms or concerns. Patients typically
experience distress and a high level of functional impairment. In severe
cases, they may adopt a sick role. Sometimes the symptoms accompany
diagnosed general medical disorders or psychiatric disorders, and sometimes
the disorder occurs alone. There may be a high level of health care
utilization, which rarely alleviates the patient's concerns. From the
clinician's point of view, many of these patients seem unresponsive to
therapies, and new interventions or therapies may only exacerbate the
presenting symptoms or lead to new side effects and complications. Some
patients feel that their medical assessment and treatment have been
inadequate.]

Patients with this diagnosis typically have multiple, current, somatic
symptoms that are distressing; sometimes, they may have only one severe
symptom. The symptoms may or may not be associated with a known medical
condition. Symptoms may be specific (such as localized pain) or relatively
non-specific (e.g. fatigue). The symptoms sometimes represent normal bodily
sensations (e.g., orthostatic dizziness), or discomfort that does not
generally signify serious disease (e.g., bad taste in one's mouth).
Health-related quality of life is frequently severely impaired.

[Ed: Previously read: Patients with this diagnosis typically have multiple,
current, somatic symptoms that are distressing; rarely, they may have only
one severe symptom. The symptoms may or may not be associated with a known
medical condition. Symptoms may be specific (such as localized pain) or
relatively non-specific (e.g. fatigue or multiple symptoms). The symptoms
sometimes represent normal bodily sensations (e.g., orthostatic dizziness),
or discomfort that does not generally signify serious disease (e.g., bad
taste in one's mouth) or are incompatible with known pathophysiology (e.g.
seeing double with one eye closed). Such patients often manifest a poorer
health-related quality of life than patients with other medical disorders
and comparable symptoms.]

Patients with this diagnosis tend to have very high levels of
health-related anxiety. They appraise their bodily symptoms as unduly
threatening, harmful, or troublesome and often fear the worst about their
health. Even when there is evidence to the contrary, they still fear the
medical seriousness of their symptoms. Health concerns may assume a central
role in the individual's life, becoming a feature of his/her identity and
dominating interpersonal relationships.

[Ed: Previously read: Patients with this diagnosis tend to have heightened
levels of health-related anxiety and a low threshold for alarm about the
presence of illness. They appraise their bodily symptoms as particularly
threatening, harmful, or troublesome and have a tendency to assume the
worst about their health. They believe in the medical seriousness of their
symptoms despite evidence to the contrary. Health concerns are diffuse and
may assume a central role in their lives, becoming a feature of their
identity, a way of responding to stressful events, a topic of interpersonal
communication, or a basis for interpersonal relationships]

If all of the somatic symptoms are consistent with another psychiatric
disorder (e.g. panic disorder), and the diagnostic criteria for that
disorder are fulfilled, then that psychiatric disorder should be considered
as an alternative or additional diagnosis. If the patient has worries about
health but no somatic symptoms, he/she may be more appropriately considered
for an anxiety disorder diagnosis.

In the elderly somatic symptoms and comorbid medical illnesses are more
common, and thus a focus on criteria B becomes more important. In the young
child, the "B criteria" may be principally expressed by the parent.

CSSD is a disorder characterized by chronicity, symptom burden, and
excessive or maladaptive response to symptoms. When patients do not meet
criteria for these domains, other diagnoses should be considered such as
Simple Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSSD).

B. Excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to these somatic
symptoms or associated health concerns: At least two of the following are
required to meet this criterion:

(1) Disproportionate and persistent concerns about the medical seriousness
of one's symptoms.

(2) High level of health-related anxiety

(3) Excessive time and energy devoted to these symptoms or health concerns

[Ed: Previously read: B. Misattributions, excessive concern or
preoccupation with symptoms and illness: At least two of the following are
required to meet this criterion: (1) High level of health-related anxiety.
(2) Normal bodily symptoms are viewed as threatening and harmful (3) A
tendency to assume the worst about their health (catastrophizing). (4)
Belief in the medical seriousness of their symptoms despite evidence to the
contrary. (5) Health concerns assume a central role in their lives]

[Ed: According to the DSM-5 website "Criteria B is still under active
discussion"]

C. Chronicity: Although any one symptom may not be continuously present,
the state of being symptomatic is chronic (at least 6 months).

For patients who fulfill the CSSD criteria, the following optional
specifiers may be applied to a diagnosis of CSSD where one of the following
dominates the clinical presentation:

XXX.3 Predominant Pain (previously pain disorder). This classification is
reserved for individuals presenting predominantly with pain complaints who
also have many of the features described under criterion B. Patients with
other presentations of pain may better fit other psychiatric diagnoses such
as adjustment disorder or psychological factors affecting a medical
condition.

[Ed: Previously read: C. Chronicity: Although any one symptom may not be
continuously present, the state of being symptomatic is chronic and
persistent (at least 6 months). The following optional specifiers may be
applied to a diagnosis of CSSD where one of the following dominates the
clinical presentation: XXX.1 Multiplicity of somatic complaints
(previously, somatization disorder) XXX.2 High health anxiety (previously,
hypochondriasis) {If patients present solely with health-related anxiety in
the absence of somatic symptoms, they may be more appropriately diagnosed
as having an anxiety disorder.} XXX.3 Pain disorder. This classification is
reserved for individuals presenting predominantly with pain complaints who
also have many of the features described under criterion B. Patients with
other presentations of pain may better fit other psychiatric diagnoses such
as major depression or adjustment disorder.]

For assessing severity of CSSD, metrics are available for rating the
presence and severity of somatic symptoms (see for instance PHQ, Kroenke et
al, 2002). Scales are also available for assessing severity of the
patient's misattributions, excessive concerns and preoccupations (see for
instance Whiteley inventory, Pilowsky , 1967).

B. One of the following symptoms from CSSD (i.e. Disproportionate and
persistent concerns about the medical seriousness of one's symptoms; High
level of health-related anxiety; or Excessive time and energy devoted to
these symptoms or health concerns)

C. Symptom duration >1 month.

*************************************************

[Ed: This category is proposed (14.01.11) to replace 300.7 Hypochondriasis.

This disorder is characterized by high illness anxiety that is distressing
and/or disruptive to daily life with minimal somatic symptoms. The
following 5 criteria must be met.

A. Preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness. If a general
medical condition or high risk for developing a general medical condition
is present, the illness concerns are clearly excessive.

B. Somatic symptoms are not present or, if present, are only mild in
intensity.

C. The person performs related excessive behaviors (e.g. checking one's
body for signs of illness, seeking reassurance from the internet or other
sources), or exhibits maladaptive avoidance (e.g. avoiding traveling far
from one's doctor, avoiding triggers of illness fears such as exercise or
visits to those who are ill).

D. Although the preoccupation may not be continuously present, the state of
being preoccupied is chronic (at least 6 months)

E. The illness-related preoccupation is not better accounted for by the
symptoms of another mental disorder such as complex somatic symptom
disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or obsessive
compulsive disorder.

The essential feature of this disorder is neurological symptoms that are
found, after appropriate medical assessment, to be incompatible with a
general medical condition. The symptoms include weakness, events resembling
epilepsy or syncope, abnormal movements, sensory symptoms (including loss
of vision and hearing), or speech and swallowing difficulties. In addition,
the diagnosis will usually be supported by evidence of internal
inconsistency or incongruity with neurological disease. This evidence may
include physical signs (such as, Hoover's sign of functional weakness) or
diagnostic investigations (such as seizure-like behaviour in the absence of
simultaneous non-convulsive activity on EEG). The symptoms may be acute or
chronic. Whilst psychological factors may be noted to be associated with
the onset of symptoms, they are not essential for the diagnosis. Co-morbid
neurological disease may also be present and does not exclude the
diagnosis.

If there is evidence that the symptoms are intentionally feigned, the
condition is not conversion disorder but rather either factitious disorder
or malingering. When the symptom is limited to pain, fatigue, dizziness,
cognitive symptoms or to a disturbance in sexual functioning, it is
typically coded elsewhere in the DSM (a different Somatic Symptom Disorder
diagnosis or in the Sexual Disorders Section).

[Ed: Previously read (as "III. Conversion disorder"): Patients with
conversion disorder typically present with neurological symptoms that are
found, after appropriate medical assessment, to be incompatible with a
general medical condition. These presentations may be acute or chronic.
Typical symptoms include weakness, events resembling epilepsy or syncope,
abnormal movements, sensory symptoms, dizziness, speech and swallowing
difficulties. In addition, the diagnosis will usually be supported by
confirmatory physical signs or diagnostic investigations consistent with
the diagnosis (such as, Hoover's sign). Psychological factors may be
associated with the onset of symptoms, but are not essential for the
diagnosis. If there is evidence that the symptoms are intentionally
feigned, the condition is not conversion disorder but rather either
factitious disorder or malingering.]

Criteria A, B, C and D must all be fulfilled to make the diagnosis:

A. One or more symptoms of altered voluntary motor, sensory function,
cognition, or seizure-like episodes

B. The symptom, after appropriate medical assessment, is not found to be
due to a general medical condition, the direct effects of a substance, or a
culturally sanctioned behavior or experience.

C. Physical signs or diagnostic findings that provide evidence of internal
inconsistency or incongruity with recognized neurological or medical
disorder.

[Ed: Previously read: Criteria A, B, and C must all be fulfilled to make
the diagnosis: A. One or more symptoms are present that affect voluntary
motor or sensory function. B. The symptom, after appropriate medical
assessment, is found not to be due to a general medical condition, the
direct effects of a substance, or a culturally sanctioned behavior or
experience. C. The symptom causes clinically significant distress or
impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning
or warrants medical evaluation.]

D. The symptom causes clinically significant distress or impairment in
social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning or warrants
medical evaluation.

[Ed: Criteria D above is new text.]

IV. Factitious disorder #300

Factitious disorders entail long-term,persistent problems related to
illness perception and identity. They can be associated with unexpected
and/or unexplained symptoms. Individuals with Factitious Disorders falsify
medical and/or psychological impairment in themselves and/or others. The
diagnosis requires demonstrating that the patient is taking surreptitious
actions to cause or simulate illness in the absence of obvious rewards.
While an underlying condition may be present, the deceptive behavior
associated with this disorder causes others to view such individuals
(and/or their proxy) as more ill or impaired than they are and can lead to
excessive clinical intervention.

Those with Factitious Disorder by Proxy have been known to falsify illness
in children of any age, adults, and pets. The victim (or proxy) is not
given the diagnosis of Factitious Disorder by Proxy. When a Factitious
Disorder leads to abuse of another or other criminal behavior, V code
designations for the victim may be indicated.

Malingering, defined as intentional reporting of symptoms for personal gain
(e.g. money, time off work, etc) is not a psychiatric disorder.

IV A. Factitious Disorder on Self (#300.X)- To make this diagnosis, all 4
criteria must be met.

1. A pattern of falsification of physical or psychological signs or
symptoms, associated with identified deception.

2. A pattern of presenting oneself to others as ill or impaired.

3. The behavior is evident even in the absence of obvious external rewards.

4. The behavior is not better accounted for by another mental disorder such
as delusional belief system or acute psychosis.

IV B. Factitious Disorder on another (#300.X) To make this diagnosis, all 4
criteria must be met. Note that the perpetrator, not the victim, receives
this diagnosis.

1. A pattern of falsification of physical or psychological signs or
symptoms in another, associated with identified deception.

2. A pattern of presenting another (victim) to others as ill or impaired.

3. The behavior is evident even in the absence of obvious external rewards.

4. The behavior is not better accounted for by another mental disorder such
as delusional belief system or acute psychosis.

[Ed: The section VII Pseudocyesis that follows is an addition to the text.]

VII Pseudocyesis

The patient has a false belief of being pregnant that is associated with
objective signs of pregnancy, which may include abdominal enlargement,
reduced menstrual flow, amenorrhea, subjective sensation of fetal movement,
nausea, breast engorgement and secretions, and labor pains at the expected
date of delivery. While endocrine changes may be present, the syndrome
cannot be explained by a general medical condition that causes endocrine
changes (e.g., a hormone-secreting tumor).

Body dysmorphic disorder

This disorder is being reviewed by the Anxiety Disorders workgroup.
Depending upon criteria and evidence, it may be relocated to the Anxiety
Disorders section of DSM or may be incorporated into CSSD.

Please find below a list of diagnoses related to the diagnostic category,
Other Clinical Conditions that May Be a Focus of Clinical Attention. The
Somatic Symptoms Disorders Work Group has been responsible for addressing
these disorders. This diagnostic category also includes conditions related
to psychosocial and environmental problems, such as whether a patient is
having housing or economic problems or problems with his/her primary
support group. In addition, this category contains a listing of movement
disorders related to medication use. The work groups are still discussing
whether DSM-5 will contain any revisions to these conditions and diagnoses.
We appreciate your review and comment on these disorders.

March - April 2011: Revisions to Proposed Criteria. Based on results from
the first phase of field trials, the DSM-5 Task Force and Work Group
members will make revisions to the proposed DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and
dimensional measures. These revised criteria and measures will be tested in
a second phase of field trials.

April - May 2011: Review of Revised Criteria. Revised proposed criteria
will be subjected to internal review, including a review by the DSM-5 Task
Force and Research Group and by other relevant work groups.

May-July 2011: Online Posting of Revised Criteria. Following the internal
review, revised draft diagnostic criteria will be posted online for
approximately one month to allow the public to provide feedback. This site
will be closed for feedback by midnight on June 30, 2011.

There are already a number of DSM-5 related threads on these forums, few of which have been updated since around May, last year, so I'm starting a new one. I will add links to the existing threads in a second post.

Oh brother, what utter garbage. A totally untestable, and hence of course, unaccountable excuse to dismiss patients with difficult problems that the doctor can't deal with. The perfect non-diagnosis.

"Psychological or behavioral factors include psychological distress, patterns of interpersonal interaction, coping styles and maladaptive health behaviors such as denial of symptoms or poor adherence to medical recommendations."

Coz we all know that doctors never, ever give the wrong medical recommendations.

If this drivel is formally accepted then the relevant pages of the DSM will be waved in patient's faces in consulting rooms across the world to justify withholding proper diagnostic investigations and treatment, and practising mistreatment including outright abuse. And when patients, completely legitimately, refuse to participate in this destructive fraud, they will then get blamed for their situation and punished.

Just when you think psychs couldn't sink any lower. Truly despicable stuff.

Oh brother, what utter garbage. A totally untestable, and hence of course, unaccountable excuse to dismiss patients with difficult problems that the doctor can't deal with. The perfect non-diagnosis.

"Psychological or behavioral factors include psychological distress, patterns of interpersonal interaction, coping styles and maladaptive health behaviors such as denial of symptoms or poor adherence to medical recommendations."

Coz we all know that doctors never, ever give the wrong medical recommendations.

Click to expand...

not to mention that it's completely no-win....deny symptoms and you must have this dx; bring up your symptoms and you could be showing too much "anxiety" about them, showing "persistent concern", and/or expressing too much interest in the "medical seriousness" of them - either way they can say that you fit this

Psychologists are needed to assess feasibility and utility of proposed criteria modifications for the DSM-5

By Practice Research and Policy Staff

January 13, 2011 A new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, will be released in May 2013. The psychiatric organization is conducting field trials to assess the practical use of proposed criteria in clinical settings, and psychologists are being sought for the trials.

seriously, do these quacks understand or care for "The SScientific Method" or Human Beings?

Said before elsewhere, 70 years ago, we didn't go nearly far enough *****slapping the evil, callous, lunatic nitwits in the medical and other professions and areas, sigh
they weren't some alien unique monstroisty of that period, merely what happens when they arelet run riot.
A PHd or MD and well off upbringing are no magical barrier from turning out bloody evil, ya know? :/

Haven't yet seen any comment from the ME Association about this? Did I miss it?

Click to expand...

Neil Riley, Chair of the ME Association Board of Trustees, has been sent a copy of this information. I have received no response as yet, from Mr Riley.

When the DSM-5 draft proposals were published, last year, all national UK patient organisations were alerted by me to the public review process and asked whether they intended to submit a response and whether they would be making any response public.

A response was submitted to the DSM-5 SSD Work Group by Dr Ellen Goudsmit, psychologist, who at the time was acting as psychological adviser to the ME Association.

In March, last year, Mr Riley confirmed to me that the MEA Board of Trustees was endorsing this brief response that had been submitted by Dr Goudsmit in February, shortly after the draft criteria had been published, but that it did not intend submitting a response of its own.

Dr Goudsmit's response to the draft proposals can be read on this page of my site (4 submissions down the page):

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has gone crazy -- like a fox.

There was a time when we could be more charitable about the vagaries in the APAs Bible, the DSM. But not anymore. If youve never heard of the DSM, its the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual series the APA publishes. Psychiatrists all over the world use the DSM as a guidebook for treating people with some form of mental illness. But the APA may test credulity with its upcoming edition.